{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-301","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 16-301","heading":"Jurisdiction; rules.","body":"(a)\nSubject to subsection (b) of this section, the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has jurisdiction to hear and determine petitions and decrees of adoption of any adult or child with authority to make such rules, not inconsistent with this chapter, as shall bring fully before the court for consideration the interests of the prospective adoptee, the natural parents, the petitioner, and any other properly interested party.\n\n(b)\nJurisdiction shall be conferred when any of the following circumstances exist:\n(1)\npetitioner is a legal resident of the District of Columbia;\n(2)\npetitioner has actually resided in the District for at least one year next preceding the filing of the petition;\n(3)\nthe child to be adopted is in the legal care, custody, or control of the Mayor or a child-placing agency licensed under the laws of the District; or\n(4)\nthe child to be adopted was born in the District of Columbia.\n\n(c)\nThe jurisdiction conferred upon the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by subsection (b)(4) of this section shall apply retroactively to all children born in the District of Columbia on or after July 18, 2009.","path":["Title 16. Particular Actions, Proceedings and Matters. [Enacted title]","Chapter 3. Adoption."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/16-301","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"221303ea80aababca24d4768548d219752d21b9bfcf95bdc794ed99c9c22bd82","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-101","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-16-302"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}